LARK HARBOUR THE BLOW·ME·DOWNER FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE OUTER BAY OF ISLANDS ISSUE 60 : 2011-11-04 & LABRADOR 2011 November 04 Friday Editor: Stuart L Harvey, PO Box 17, Lark Harbour, NL, , A0L 1H0 Tel: 709-681-2256 Website: http://www.blowmedowner.webs.com Email: [email protected]

WHARF RECONSTRUCTION AT LARK HARBOUR

ONE OF THE LONG PILINGS IS PLACED IN POSITION THE PILE DRIVER HAMMERS A PILING INTO PLACE [Pictures by The BLOW•ME•DOWNER]

HE WORK HAS FINALLY BEGUN on the much needed repairs for the Twharf at Lark Harbour. For some time now a section has been fenced off, where the men are working. The job is scheduled to be finished by the end of the fall, so if all goes according to plan and we NOVEMBER get no major storms this winter, it should be ready for use when the a time for spring fishing begins. This picture at left shows a piling being REMEMBRANCE guided into place by the workmen while its weight is supported by the crane. The picture at right shows the pile driver at the top of the closest piling which is being hammered into the mud until it hits a substratum firm enough to support the weight of the structure itself THE FINAL SACRIFICE and whatever may be on the wharf deck. It’s not like $35 billion of shipbuilding, but it helps! They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. . Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE FISHERY? We will remember them. S FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER there have been problems in the A Newfoundland Fishery: low prices, high operating costs and HIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE REMEMBER the thousands who licence fees, and of course the 1992 Moratorium. And each Tdied while serving in the two World Wars, the Korean War, and fisherperson needs to be a lawyer to keep straight all the regulations the numerous Peacekeeping operations to which the Canadian Army, he has to follow, not to mention when he makes a mistake. By the Navy and Air Force have been tasked. time he’s figured out all these details, it’s surprising if he has time left They fought, risked, and in many cases lost their lives, because for fishing. There is such a lack of support from either Federal or they believed in the freedoms that we enjoy. They knew that those Provincial regulators that one really wonders if there is a plot to force freedoms do not just ‘happen’, but must be preserved and guarded. small-boat operators to leave the industry! I grew up near Grimsby, a town in eastern England and Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) was a German Lutheran pastor traditionally a major fishing centre. We kids used to go to the docks who risked his life by speaking out against Hitler and the Nazis. In to watch the trawlers leaving to fish around Iceland. Typically fifty 1937 he was imprisoned by the Nazis on the charge that he was “not trawlers were there, and as many more were coming in with their enthusiastic enough about the Nazi movement”. He survived the catches. You could see freight trains leaving, a hundred vans full of camps and was freed in 1945 by Allied troops. Martin Niemöller fish for the midland industrial cities. But when I was last there in was fortunate, but many of his friends died at the hands of the Nazis. 1999 there was no fishery activity to see. The hustle and bustle was The following thoughts are attributed to Pastor Niemöller: over for ever. Why? Because British fishing in Icelandic waters was prohibited by the tiny Icelandic navy. And then the Icelanders built First they came for the socialists, for themselves an industry which gave them Jobs Jobs Jobs! and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. earned himself a reputation by having foreign vessels Then they came for the communists, arrested for failing to observe the international fishing laws. But he and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. had no support from NAFO, and the arrested vessels paid minimal Then they came for the Jews, penalties, ignored the rules, and continued fishing. and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. To bring the Fishery back, young people and strong leaders who Then they came for me, know the practical side of the business are needed. If present and there was no one left to speak for me. politicians and leaders cannot or will not help, let’s elect some who SLH will! SLH P age 2 o f 6 The BLOW•ME•DOWNER Issue 60 2011 November 04 Friday

COMMUNITY CALENDAR MESSAGE FROM OUR RECTOR HC=Holy Communion; MP=Morning Prayer; EP=Evening Pr — Rev Nellie Thomas — LH = Lark Harbour; YH = York Harbour; JB = John’s Beach ANGLICAN PARISH OF THE BAY OF ISLANDS Church items relate to St James, LH, unless indicated otherwise. 2011 NOVEMBER 2011 FORGET-ME-NOTS AND POPPIES 6th Sun 11:00am - St James - Morning Prayer 7th Sat End - clocks back 1 hour HERE IS AN OLD GERMAN LEGEND which tells how the 11th Fri 10:00am - Remembrance Day Service Tforget-me-not received its name. According to the legend, at the 13th Sun 11:00am - St James - Morning Prayer time of creation, God was giving all the plants their names. But one 19th Sat World Toilet Day (see page 6) plant with tiny blue flowers was afraid that it would get overlooked. 20th Sun 7:00pm - St James - Evening Prayer So the little plant said to the Lord, “Forget me not!” And the Lord Rev Nellie back from annual vacation said to the little plant, “Forget-me-not will be your name.” 25th Fri earlier please - December BMD copy deadline After the end of the First World War, the Dominion of 27th Sun 7:00pm - St James - Memorial Bulb Service Newfoundland adopted the forget-me-not as its national flower of remembrance. In the weeks leading up to July 1st, Newfoundlanders 2011 DECEMBER 2011 and Labradorians wore forget-me-nots to remember the war dead and 4th Sun 11:00am - St James - Baptism & Holy Communion especially those who lost their lives in the Battle of Beaumont Hamel 10th Sat 2:00pm - Lark Harbour ACW - BAKE SALE on July 1, 1916; on that day, 346 members of the Newfoundland 11th Sun 11:00am - St James -“Hanging of the Greens” Regiment were killed, 386 were wounded and only 69 were left to a service to decorate the church for Christmas answer the roll call the next day. For all of them, the forget-me-not 12th Mon Lark Harbour ACW - BELL PARTY was a symbol of remembrance and respect. th 18 Sun 7:00pm - St James Sunday School Christmas Pgm When Newfoundland and Labrador became the tenth province of nd 22 Thur Winter Solstice - First Day of Winter Canada in 1949, we adopted the Canadian flower of remembrance, th 24 Sat 4:00pm Christmas Eve Service the poppy, which is worn in the weeks leading up to November 11th, th 25 Sun 10:00am - St James - Christmas Day Service the day the First World War ended. For a number of years after 2012 JANUARY 2012 confederation, we had two flowers of remembrance: the forget-me-not and the poppy. (I can remember my mother selling st Jan 1 Sun 11:00am - St James - Christmas Carol Sing forget-me-nots during the last couple weeks of June.) But gradually, th Jan 8 Sun 11:00am - St James - Bapt & Holy Communion the forget-me-not ceased to be sold, and the poppy became our one Jan 15th Sun 7:00pm - St James - Prayer & Praise and only flower of remembrance. Jan 22nd Sun 7:00pm - St James - Holy Communion When all is said and done, the important thing is not the choice Jan 29th Sun 7:00pm - St James - Holy Communion of a flower of remembrance. The important thing is remembering 2012 ADVANCE DATES 2012 and never forgetting. On November 11th we will again pause to remember those who served in the First World War, the Second Feb 22nd Wed Ash Wednesday - First Day of Lent th World War, the Korean War and many other peacemaking and March 11 Sun Spring Equinox - First Day of Spring peacekeeping operations right down to the present time. We will th April 8 Sun Easter Sunday remember the men and women of the Canadian forces who gave nd April 22 Sun Earth Day assistance in the liberation of Libya which was finally achieved on October 22, 2011. (Steve Penney, the husband of Melina Childs of These are our Sponsors who support the BLOW·ME·DOWNER. York Harbour, was part of that effort.) Above all, we will remember PLEASE GIVE THEM YOUR SUPPORT. and give thanks to God for being with those who gave their all to Anglican Parish of Bay of Islands Lark Harbour safeguard our precious freedoms and to secure our peace and safety. Byrne’s Store York Harbour p. 4 Curling ONE Stop, 366 Curling St p. 6 This month’s column is by Rev Derek Thomas, while Rev Nellie Fillatre Memorials Corner Brook p. 5 enjoys a well-deserved rest and lots of time with her granddaughter. Quik Lube Plus, 65 Humber Road Corner Brook p. 6 Both will be back in mid November. Sheppard’s Clover Farm Store Lark Harbour p. 4

YORK HARBOUR - LARK HARBOUR THE GARBAGE PROBLEM AGAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT The BLOW•ME•DOWNER has reported in the past on the garbage that York Harbour - Lark Harbour Firettes is carelessly thrown out of vehicles along our highways. You can see ANNUAL APPRECIATION BALL drink cans and bottles, paper coffee cups, fast food packages and Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at 7:00 pm wrappers of all kinds. We even have thoughtless individuals who at York Harbour Town Hall choose to dump old TVs, mattresses, tires and other garbage in the Tickets $10.00 per person available at YH Council Office woods and on the beaches at some of our most scenic locations. or call Bill Sheppard at 681-2494 It may come as a surprise to some of our residents that these thiings Get your tickets early - only 40 available are unsightly, although we know that most people share our concern. BUFFET MEAL On 2011 October 24 this email was received: MUSIC BY TREVOR’S DISCO We were recent visitors to Lark Harbour and the beautiful This event will be BYOB area of Bay of Islands, and we were so hurt and upset by all ! ! ! Hope to see you there ! ! ! the litter along the highway. Is there nothing or not a program that could be put into effect to clean the roads? What a shame to have your beautiful area trashed with The BLOW•ME•DOWNER is distributed free to every litter. Just a thoughtful concern for your area. Canada Post mailbox in Lark Harbour & York Harbour before or on the first Friday of the month. The email is signed. I have thanked the visitors for their concern. Next BLOW•ME•DOWNER ...... Issue 61, 2011 Dec 02 It doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask people NOT TO THROW Deadline for Issue 61 . . . .a.s.a.p. before 2011 November 25 THEIR GARBAGE OUT BESIDE THE ROAD, but to dispose of Please submit copy as early as possible for best inclusion. it properly. Is it too much to take drink and food containers home To receive your BMD by email, send an email to :- and place them in the household garbage which is collected weekly? [email protected] PLEASE KEEP OUR TOWNS AND HIGHWAYS CLEAN! The Blow-Me-Downer is also available on the Internet at :- http://www.blowmedowner.webs.com EVERYTHING WILL LOOK SO MUCH BETTER! The BLOW•ME•DOWNER Issue 60 2011 November 04 Friday Page 3 of 6 Obituary Obituary RHONDA LEAH COLLISHAW WINNIFRED PARK 1975 May 22 - 2011 October 08 1927 October 16 - 2011 October 12

T IS WITH GREAT SADNESS that the URROUNDED BY HER LOVING FAMILY Ifamily of the late Rhonda Collishaw SWinnifred Park passed away (Brown) announced her sudden passing peacefully on Wednesday October 12, on Saturday October 8, 2011 at the age 2011 at the age of 83 years after a brief of 36 years. She left to mourn with fond illness. She leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories her daughter and loving memories her daughter Carol Natasha, fiancé James Park (Jim) of Rice (Boyd) with whom she lived, and Corner Brook, mother Linda Brown, her son George (Lorraine); five sister Nicole Gillingham, niece Kristina grandchildren: Christopher (Janet), Tina Gillingham all of Corner Brook, her (Glenn), Deanna (Michael), Jody maternal grandmother Joyce Rowsell of (Edward), Bradley (Jennifer); seven Corner Brook and paternal grandmother great grandchildren: Jonathan, Zachary, Grace Serre of , also several aunts, uncles, cousins and Bradey, Cheyenne, Lily, Brianna, and Dustin; and one great-great friends. She was predeceased by her son Devon Collishaw, her grandchild Ethan; her brother Harvey (Pearl); five sisters: Myrtle maternal grandfather William Rowsell (Bill) of Corner Brook, and (Gerald), Gertie, Bonnie (Overton), Olive (Ken), Josephine (Harvey); grandfather Marcel Serre of Ontario. Cremation has taken place. and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was predeceased Friends visited at Country Haven Funeral Home, 167 Country by her loving husband Edgar and her brother Vic. Road, on Tuesday October 11, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral Cremation and a private family service have taken place. The Service will took place at Country Haven Funeral Home Chapel at family guest book was signed or memorial donations made by visiting 10am on Wednesday October 12, 2011 with Majors Calvin & Loretta the website at www.country-haven.ca. Our thoughts are with Fudge officiating. Interment followed at Mount Patricia Cemetery. Winnie’s family and friends at this time of their sad loss. As expressions of sympathy flowers were graciously accepted or donations made to a charity of one’s choice. The family guest book could be signed or memorial donations made by visiting the website IS CANADA REALLY A DEMOCRACY? at www.country-haven.ca. E LIVE IN A COUNTRY which claims to be a “democracy”. Our We offer our sincere condolences to Rhonda’s family, and Wgovernment prides itself on encouraging democracy around the especially to Jim Park, her fiancé, who is liked and respected by many world: our recent involvements in Afghanistan and Libya illustrate in our Two Towns. this. We criticise countries like China which over-ride the democratic ideal of a large number of its citizens who have actively and at first peacefully opposed their government’s policies. James Fletcher But is Canada really a democracy? Card of Thanks Most Canadians would consider that they know what a democracy UTH AND JAYE FLETCHER AND FAMILIES wish to express sincere is. But just to be sure I looked up “democracy” in my Canadian Rthanks to the many friends and relatives and to all who helped in Oxford Dictionary, 2nd Edition, 2004. This is the definition I read: any way to alleviate the sorrow caused by the passing of James “a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible Fletcher, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and members of a state, typically through elected representatives”. special friend. I draw your attention particularly to the words “the whole Special thanks to Rev Nellie Thomas, Rev Gordon Druggett, population”. Surely that means “everybody”, though we require Rev Derek Thomas, Country Haven Funeral Home, pallbearers, certain qualifications of age, residence, etc. But in general terms it organist, sexton, the choir and the ladies of the ACWA. means all Canadians. So, given the above, is Canada really a democracy? And are the Special thanks to Dr Morris and our dad’s special friend Nina actions of a government valid when it can push through its own Druggett for her many years of special care and kindness. Also to agenda with only about 40% of the voters actually wanting it? those who made donations to the Anglican Church Fund and to those Consider these numbers from this year’s Federal Election: who sent flowers, sympathy cards, emails, phone calls, and lots of food; your kindness and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. Party Seats Votes Cast % of Votes Conservative 166 5,832,401 39.6 The Fletcher Family NDP 103 4,508,474 30.6 Liberal 34 2,783,175 18.9 Bloc Québécois 4 889,788 6.0 FOOD BANK NOTES Green Party 1 576,221 3.9 by Other 0 1,302,521 1.0 Susan Harvey TOTAL 308 14,720,580 100..0 The above table shows clearly the result of the kind of system we use: the Conservatives received 39.6% of the vote, but had 166 members THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING! elected, while all other parties together had 59.4% of votes cast, but had only 142 of their members elected. Is this a truly democratic FTER SO MANY WEEKS WITH PRACTICALLY NOTHING COMING IN, process? I think not, when one party had almost 20% fewer votes, Ait was good to find the box brimming with bags, boxes and cans but ended with 24 more seats than all other parties together. on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. That gave me four milk crates Canada needs a reformed voting system to ensure that parties of food to take in to the outlet in Curling last week. Since then would be represented in proportion to the total votes they received. another two milk crates have come, mostly from the children. This would have yielded results as follows: Conservatives 122 seats, Speaking with Joy, our Food Bank co-ordinator, I learned that the NDP 94, Liberals 58, BQ 18, Green Party 12, and others (with no Thanksgiving Food Drive this year has been one of the best ever for seats now) would have had 3. Such representation in the House the Bay of Islands area: more than $12,000 worth of food donations. would be good for Canada, rather than subjecting us to the And she still doesn’t have all of ours! I guess we can all pat ourselves ideological extremes we face now as a result of our outmoded (gently) on the back. electoral system. This is not to suggest the adoption of this system, but rather that Thanks to everyone for their generosity. reform of the present system is needed. Reform would be a very complex task, to be done with much care, consultation, analysis and reconsideration, followed by trial and modification as necessary. Thought for the Month: A mental health treatment centre for youth is not welcome in . . . . . Paradise! Check our Website at : http://www.blowmedowner.webs.com P age 4 o f 6 The BLOW•ME•DOWNER Issue 60 2011 November 04 Friday good advice on how to have a satisfying garden without LIBRARY NOTES dedicating your whole life to it. It contains many specific by recommendations of plants that will succeed without too much Susan Harvey effort. Plainly she does a fair bit of planning of the gardens she has enjoyed while moving ten times in ten years; but her main aim We have recently received a number of new books in the is to ENJOY her garden. Almost all of her gardens have been on Newfoundland Collection. Some are reviewed here. As the the Island also, which makes the advice more useful. new rotating collection was not received in time, it has not 4. Definitely NOT Martha Stewart is another collection of Ms been reviewed. It should be available sometime this week. Wells’ columns for the Chronicle Herald, this time about Interested readers please check the Library. housework - NOT as Martha would do it. Her experiences are entertaining; perhaps fewer useful tips than in the gardening book. 1. Danny Williams: The War with Ottawa The Inside Story by a Hired Gun Bill Rowe 5. Sergeant Gander is the story of a brave Newfoundland dog, born 2. Canada and Other Matters of Opinion Rex Murphy in Gander. He was adopted by a regiment of Canadian soldiers 3. The Gin and Tonic Gardener Janice Wells when they were stationed in Gander during the Second World 4. Definitely NOT Martha Stewart Janice Wells War. He was so popular with the soldiers that they took him with 5. Sergeant Gander: A Canadian Hero Robyn Walker them when they left, even into the actual fighting in Japan. The 6. The Grand Banks: A Pictorial History J P Andrieux battle in Japan was especially hard and dangerous, and Gander 7. No Need to Wear Rubbers: actually saved the lives of seven wounded soldiers; for his The 1925 Travel Diaries of James O’Neil Paul O’Neill heroism he received a medal. Lots of pictures and a good read. 8. Women Fishes These Days Brenda Grzetic 6. The Grand Banks has a lot of pictures, many of them of ships. 9. Our Life on Lear’s Room, Labrador Greta Hussey The text gives quite a bit of information about the different ships 10. Newfoundlanders: Home and Away Leslie Bella and the different ways they did their fishing over the years. 1. Danny Williams really is the inside story of the Atlantic Accord 7. No Need to Wear Rubbers is the story of the European travels in negotiations between Newfoundland premier Danny Williams and the 1920s of Mr O’Neill’s father, James O’Neil. The father’s Canadian prime minister . Mr. Rowe was in the name was spelled with only one “L” because the original spelling process of being installed in Ottawa as the Newfoundland had been lost when the family moved from Ireland in 1824. government’s representative to the federal government, apparently Apparently James made two trips to Europe in the 1920s when a position somewhat resented by some elected MPs - though it was the fishing was not good on the Island. He seems to have been Danny Williams’ own idea. Williams had specifically selected quite confident in travelling so far from his home in Bay de Bill Rowe for the position in spite of their belonging to different Verde. His diary faithfully records all he saw and experienced parties; Rowe is a lifelong Liberal. They had, however, been and there are many photographs. A real historical document. friendly during their involvement in provincial politics and 8. Women Fishes These Days is an informative history of the Rowe’s “Open Line” time. Williams valued Rowe’s political Newfoundland fishery since the 1920s; perhaps not news to those savvy and his many useful connections with the knowledgeable. involved in the fishery themselves. Ms Grzetic interviewed Rowe did encounter some confusion amongst others as to why he several fisherwomen and appears to have done much research on was in Ottawa. the fishery while in graduate studies at Memorial University. In fact, Rowe’s connections and the information he gained 9. Our Life on Lear’s Room, Labrador is the story of Greta Hussey, from them were very useful in the long and painful negotiation recalling her time in Labrador as a child - again in the 1920s - process. He was in contact with an astonishing number of when the whole family went to fish there each summer because of expatriate Newfoundlanders in influential positions in Canada. a scarcity of cod where they lived on the Island. Plainly a hard Apparently our own Gerry Byrne was able to make some useful life, but lovingly recalled in great detail. Again, a real historical contributions; whereas Loyola Hearn was something less than document and interesting reading, but with few pictures. helpful. The negotiations were complicated and very frustrating, 10.Newfoundlanders: Home and Away tells the stories of many as each meeting seemed to founder when both sides felt an Newfoundlanders living on the mainland; the problems they had agreement had been reached only to find the other side has denied leaving home and adjusting to a different life, perhaps in a city. having agreed to the critical points. Rowe felt that really it was And how Newfoundland is always “home”. only Danny Williams’ determination that finally achieved an agreement acceptable to Newfoundland. The reader does get an inside look at many public figures and the problems of settling I would like to express my sincere thank-you to the important deals with huge financial consequences. Seemingly our voters in the Lark Harbour and York Harbour areas public servants did a pretty good job for us on this one. A real for their support on Election Day. addition to this book is the truly excellent index which gives every I will be meeting with the town councils in the near future page reference to every proper name mentioned in the book - and with any groups who would like to meet with me. including Rex Murphy and Cross-Country Checkup. Every reader Arrangements are being made for my new office and I will learn something from reading to the end. will notify residents of my contact information 2. Canada and Other Matters of Opinion is a collection of Rex and office location in the near future. Murphy’s Points of View from The National over the last ten Thank you again for your support and I look forward years or so. As usual, Rex’s opinions are entertainingly to representing you over the next four years. expressed, with his trademark wonderful word constructions. And, as you might expect, very few of Rex’s opinions amount to , MHA glowing recommendations. It seemed as if the only individual gaining his whole-hearted approval was Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who refused to become “Sir Keith”, and who BYRNE’S STORE managed to fall out of a palm tree. Also he’s “cause-phobic”, Main Street, York Harbour - Phone 681-2040 meaning he is not trying to “save Africa” - or seals - and is pretty FULL SERVICE GASOLINE much deaf to environmental concerns and spiritual discoveries. Groceries, Confectionery & Beer, Hardware, Loto Nothing good to say about Madonna, Pamela Anderson, or A GREAT SELECTION OF LOCAL SOUVENIRS Britney Spears. Rex also deals rather scathingly with human rights commissions, politics and Islam. A novel but perhaps popular idea is his proposal of Don Cherry as Governor General! There is a rather nice section on Newfoundland near the end. One SHEPPARD’S CLOVER FARM STORE warning: don’t try to read the book at one sitting; two or three ! ! ! CHECK OUR PRICES ! ! ! items at once are enough. You may not agree with all or any of Gasoline Groceries Hardware Lotto Beer Liquor Rex’s opinions, but he does have a good command of the facts and Propane Exchange Program - Sears Catalogue Agent he IS very entertaining to read. DISTRIBUTOR OF PRODUCTS from MERCER’S MARINE 3. The Gin and Tonic Gardener is a collection of Ms Wells’ weekly columns on gardening in the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Lots of The BLOW•ME•DOWNER Issue 60 2011 November 04 Friday Page 5 of 6

TOWN OF The Fly on the Wall Overheard in a washroom near the Defence Minister’s LARK HARBOUR office in the Parliament Building, Ottawa

Present: Mayor John Parsons; Scott: Hi there, Pete. So you’ve got yourself into a bit of hot water Councillors: Stanley Childs, Llewellyn Childs and now, I think, haven’t you? Pauline Sheppard; Pete: How’s that, Scott? Clerk: Louise Darrigan (Recording) Scott: Those trips you’ve been making in Cormorant helicopters and Absent: Deputy Mayor Jamie Park Challenger jets ... the Opposition’s getting a bit mad about it, specially the Newfoundland crowd. Meeting commenced at 7:00pm Pete: Well, Newfoundland’s always getting upset over something. No big deal. Their government just got elected for four years, ! Error in minutes of 2011 Sept. 20 - financial report, amount of and they’re eating out of our hands now, after Steve said we $19,693.43. corrected to “amount of $26,664.25.”. With no other support the Muskrat Falls deal. And the Newfies aren’t errors or omissions, the minutes of 2011 Sept 20 then adopted. opening their House till next year. So I’m not worried. ! Water/Sewer update – Reviewed letter from Dept of Fisheries and Scott: How much did those trips cost, Pete? Oceans about conservation issues relating to the proposed dam. Pete: Ah, not too much, Scott. The chopper ride was about Mayor John will contact Walter Anderson. 16 grand, I think, and the Challenger a bit more, maybe ! Emergency Plan – Councillor Llewellyn appointed to the 40 grand. The whole lot’s less than 60 grand, even including Emergency Council Committee. a few limos and whatnot. Nothing compared to what the 1812 War celebrations will cost next year. ! Dept of Transportation and Works verbally agreed to start next Scott: But Pete, you’ve cost taxpayers more money than most week on upgrade of Pennell Road, cleaning of culvert on Little Canadians make in a year ... seems like a lot to me. Port Road and other ditching upgrades in the community. Pete: Okay ... So Steve went to Boston to see the Stanley Cup final, ! Council will get a second quote as well as going back to Roger and that cost the country about $11K. Sure, he paid a few Noseworthy for another quote before proceeding with the survey bucks out of his own pocket for it, about a thousand, I think for the Municipal Park. ... whatever the airline fare would have cost. Closing the ! Playground phase II completed, report sent to Dept of Tourism. St John’s Search & Rescue office will cover some of it anyway, and the cuts to DFO and all those other departments ! Financial report – approved with accounts payable of $3,212.88 will make lots more. and write off $29.57. New financial report format also approved Scott: But 60 grand seems to me like a lot of money for a few trips, for use but Clerk directed to consult with the auditor. Pete, when we’re supposed to be preaching restraint. ! All building permits approved. Pete: (Losing patience) Now listen here! Tony thinks it’s okay, and ! Approved donation of $200.00 to Municipalities NL for Labrador he should know. Last year he spent thousands on gazebos and Western Night at the annual convention. and stuff in his riding, and Steve didn’t say anything. That’s good enough for me. And compared with all those billions on ! Council did not approve the increased replacement cost from new F35 jets we’re buying, and the new prisons, my little Baine Johnston Insurance for the Town Hall and Stage/Storage joyrides are just chicken feed. buildings after reviewing existing policy coverage and premium. Scott: But ... ??? What d’y mean, Pete? You wouldn’t be planning Reply to be sent detailing work done on the two buildings. to use an F35 to ferry you round the country, would you? ! Garbage contract ends on 2011 December 31. Motion made to Pete: (Awkward silence) Remember, Scott, I am Defence Minister. post tender for garbage collection for two years, cost shared Actually, I’ve always wanted to live somewhere warm, and between Lark Harbour and York Harbour and to notify York I’m thinking about buying a place in Acapulco. I’m totally Harbour with the specifications for approval before posting. fed up with our miserable climate, Scott, especially what we ! Mayor John and Clerk Louise will review the résumés received for get back home in the Maritimes. I was going to wait till I the position of Acting Clerk on Oct 19. Agreed to send a letter of retired, but with an F35 I could live in Acapulco now and fly thanks in reply to Clerk Debra’s letter. in to Ottawa every day. I’ll just tell everybody the pilots need to gain experience in the new machines. Letter from Dept of Municipal Affairs regarding training and ! Scott: But what will your voters say, all those Nova Scotians who professional development opportunities for 2011 reviewed. Clerk voted for you last May? Louise to attend the training session on October 28 at Deer Lake. Pete: (grinning) I’m not too worried about them, Scott. I’ll get a ! Clerk to contact George Sheppard to remove bus shelter on Little couple of fancy gazebos, or a nice artificial lake on Citadel Port Road that is overturned as per complaint received. Hill in Halifax, built somewhere they can see ’em and they’ll ! Mayor was called about an incident involving young persons be as happy as kids in a sandbox. throwing eggs and rocks at a home in the community. As it is not a Council issue, Mayor advised complainant to contact RCMP. NEWFOUNDLAND ELECTION 2011 ! Federation of Canadian Municipalities membership declined by Council. ONGRATULATIONS to our three candidates in the Provincial Election for Bay of Islands District: all three led clean campaigns ! Mun. Assessment Div. value change report reviewed. C and made the election a positive event where we had the chance to ! All correspondence reviewed. No follow up necessary. consider the issues and to bring up any concerns we had. They all Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm showed themselves to be well-informed about the issues, and during their canvassing the District and calling at the homes we had a good chance to hear their opinions and make our voting choice.

The final result in Bay of Islands in order of votes received was:

NAME PARTY VOTES Eddie Joyce Liberal 2,760 ELECTED Terry Loder PC 2,003 Tony Adey NDP 625 PC Liberal NDP Party MHA standings in the 2011 vote: 37 6 5 and in the 2007 vote: 44 3 1 P age 6 o f 6 The BLOW•ME•DOWNER Issue 60 2011 November 04 Friday THE STORY OF EYAM appeal, raised her from his feet, and in the most affectionate manner, A narrative of courage and dedication told her, that his duty to his suffering and diminishing flock — and the indelible stain that would rest on his memory by deserting them Part One - Conclusion to follow next month in the hour of danger — and that the awful responsibility to his At this time of Remembrance it is appropriate to recall this story of Maker, for the charge he had undertaken, were considerations with courage and sacrificial dedication which took place in England him of more weight and importance than life itself! He then, in the almost 350 years ago:- One of the most frightening of natural most enthusiastic manner, endeavoured to prevail on his weeping disasters to affect people in times past was disease. There are few partner to take their two lovely babes and fly to some place of refuge records that give us detailed information about epidemics, but these until the plague was stayed! She, however, steadfastly resisted his events at Eyam are unique. In 1842 William Wood, a historian, persuasions, and emphatically declared her determination that studied journals and church records from 1665-66 to find details of nothing should induce her to leave him amidst that destructive and what happened, including personal anecdotes. His narrative, the terrible whirlpool of death! This affecting contest ended in their basis of this article, uses language which today seems flowery and mutual consent to send the children away to a relative in Yorkshire. exaggerated, even excessively emotional. Nevertheless it gives Having by this point seen the feeling to the sufferings and fears of those who experienced the event, deaths of more than a hundred of and it brings to life the heroism displayed by some leading citizens their fellow villagers, terror began to of the village. It is that heroism which is the focus here. affect the local population. Those who had the means to leave, quickly N THE MOUNTAINOUS PEAK DISTRICT OF DERBYSHIRE in England packed their essential belongings Ithere is a small isolated village called Eyam, (pronounced EE-AM), and fled. Many of those without the with a population similar in size to that of York Harbour. Between means to flee took refuge in huts September 1665 and October 1666 the village was hit by the Great they built in the mountains and Plague which killed nearly three quarters of its population of 350. At valleys outside the village. But the same time about a third of the population of Western Europe also William Mompesson and Thomas died of the Plague, and about 7,000 a day were dying in London. Stanley understood the danger to the region: many of those who were still alive may be carrying the The disease struck quickly and there was no known cure. It began infection, and would transmit it to people in other villages. A with a high fever, and in a few short hours large suppurating red meeting of the villagers was called, at which the two priests explained sores, called buboes, appeared and the victims’ skin turned black — the risks and succeeded in persuading the villagers to stay, in the hence the common name, “the Black Death”. It was the same disease interest of protecting their neighbours and relatives in other villages. which had caused widespread mortality at other times throughout history, particularly around 1349 in Europe. It was the gruesome End of Part One. Part Two will appear in the December issue. origin of the children’s nursery rhyme “Ring-a-ring o’ Roses, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down”. The “ring o’ roses” referred to the hideous red buboes that appeared first around WORLD TOILET DAY the neck and in the armpits and groin of the victims, followed by the ELIEVE IT OR NOT, there is an official World Toilet Day, observed rapid spread of the buboes throughout the body along with the Bin some 53 countries. It all began in 2001 when Jack Sim, a vomiting of blood. The “pocket full of posies” referred to the habit Singaporean, founded the World Toilet Organisation, out of a of carrying strongly perfumed items such as pepper and frankincense, concern to improve standards of sanitation hygiene around the world. and it has been suggested that the smoking of tobacco was advised, Toilets are a topic rarely discussed, partly out of a sense of taboo, in the mistaken belief that these precautions would ward off the partly ignorance, and partly taking toilets for granted. But even clean disease. The words “ashes, ashes” recalled the victims’ sneezing; and modern toilets have the potential to be a source of disease. A few “we all fall down” recalls the excruciating but mercifully fairly quick years ago we had a similar attitude to water, but today we are very death that usually followed the initial appearance of symptoms. aware of the need for everyone to have a supply of good clean water, While the medical details of Eyam at this time would have been and we go to considerable effort to secure it. We should have a fairly typical of any other afflicted community in Europe, the similar concern about toilets. outstanding feature was the selflessness of the incumbent priest Rev We use toilets several times a day, without thought. We are lucky William Mompesson, his wife Catherine, and Rev Thomas Stanley, in Canada that most of the toilets we encounter are quite clean and Mompesson’s retired predecessor. What follows is an account of the well maintained. But if you have ever experienced, as I have, some heroism and self-sacrifice these three people displayed as the Plague of the squalid privies you used to find in older establishments off the ravaged and killed everywhere around them. Their heroism is beaten track in North America and the UK, you’ll understand that a memorialised in the village where it occurred, and is one of only a clean toilet, of whatever variety, with an acceptable standard of few known examples of such conduct during a period of widespread cleanliness is important to your comfort. But your health is more natural disaster. important than your comfort. There are parts of the world, even in North America, where toilet The Plague strikes in Eyam facilities are primitive at best. It is Jack Sim’s intention that such According to tradition, the infection was discovered in Eyam in conditions everywhere must be changed. The world has enough September 1665 soon after a package of cloth from London was health problems that we can’t address without ignoring those we can. opened by a tailor in the village. The actual origin of the cloth is not So on World Toilet Day when you visit your facility, have a good certain, but the package had got wet during shipment, so the laugh if you want, but whether you sit or stand, think about how unsuspecting tailor hung it to dry in his home. Within a day or two necessary it is in your life, and when the opportunity occurs, do what he was dead, followed soon by his family, and then others. Enough you can to further Mr Sim’s concern. More information at these was known about the transmission of the infection through materials websites http://www.worldtoilet.org/wto/ like cloth, so the offending material was burned, but it was already or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Toilet_Organization too late: in the last four months of 1665 forty-four people out of 350 Anyone interested in making a donation to help a poor community had died. The early months of 1666 were colder than usual, and the with its sanitation needs, go to World Vision Canada’s website at: number of deaths decreased for a while. Then as summer approached http://www.facebook.com/WorldVisionCan?sk=app_6009294086 the deaths increased and by July about seventy more villagers died. or look at page 29 of the World Vision Gift Guide for 2011 which came with your copy of The Anglican Journal in October, or call Historian William Wood describes one of the many difficult World Vision toll-free at 1-800-844-7993. decisions Rev Mompesson had to make: It was about the middle of June [1666], that the plague began to assume so terrible an aspect. Terror overwhelmed the hearts of the Automobile - SERVICE & REPAIRS - Gas & Diesel villagers. Mrs. Mompesson threw herself and two children, George and Elizabeth, of three and four years old, at the feet of her husband, CURLING ONE STOP imploring their immediate departure from the afflicted place! Her Owners: Kevin & Betty Wayson entreaties and tears sensibly moved the feelings of her husband. But Phone 785-2619 366 Curling St, Corner Brook Mompesson, whose love for his wife and children was never exceeded, whose eyes were effused with energetic and truly pathetic